Rams trip to London could violate St. Louis lease

Earlier this month, the NFL announced that the Rams would be headed to London to play one regular-season game per year from 2012-14. We can argue about whether it’s a good idea for the struggling franchise to make such a commitment (I say it’s a bad, bad idea), but that’s not what interests the city of St. Louis.

No, what the City of St. Louis Convention and Visitors Commission is concerned about is whether the games violate the Rams lease with the Edward Jones Dome. As in, the lease apparently states that all St. Louis home games must be played in the Dome. And since the next three London games will be considered Rams home games, that’s a bit of a problem.

For owner Stan Kroenke, who also owns the English Premiere League’s Arsenal soccer team, traveling to London every year with his Rams squad is probably a great move. But for the city that actually houses his NFL franchise, it’s less so.

As the St. Louis Post Dispatch writes, “A section of the Rams' lease at the Dome calls for the team ‘to play all its home NFL Games (other than pre-season NFL Games) at the Facilities.’ The Rams can disregard this rule if the Dome is not in useable condition or if the lease is terminated, according to that section of the lease.”

There’s little doubt that the trip would be a financial gain for the Rams. Wembley Stadium seats about 14,000 more than the Edward Jones Dome, and considering St. Louis will face the Patriots, UK interest in the game should be high next year. Also, the NFL guarantees the home team a ticket revenue that’s equal to a regular home-game sellout plus the trip expenses.

But still, this calls back to the question on whether the Rams are being fair with their fan base by leaving for London for three consecutive seasons.

While the city agrees with Kroenke that the selection of the franchise by the NFL for the international game is an honor, it also emailed a statement to the paper that read, “Our lease with the Rams requires that the Rams play all their home games in the Edward Jones Dome. We immediately brought this to the Rams' attention and are awaiting their reply."

Said Jeff Rainford, the chief of staff to St. Louis mayor Francis Slay: “I think it's obvious that the Rams expect the CVC to adhere to the terms of the lease. And I think it's reasonable for CVC to expect the Rams adhere to the lease."

Rams trip to London could violate St. Louis lease

The stadium is being stupid. The NFL should just give the Rams 7 home games and 9 road games and count the London game as one of the 9 road games.

Since: Aug 17, 2007

Posted on: January 28, 2012 3:58 pm

Rams trip to London could violate St. Louis lease

Just to let you know, I am not a Rams fan and have no ties to St. Louis. It just seems to me that the league can do nothing but furtrer alienate a fanbase that has already been alientated by bad football. They make a popular move in hiring Fisher to follow that with an unpopular move in taking away home games. And though attendence may have been down because of being a bad team, they were still better supported than the playoff team the Bengals. The Rams are still a fairly young franchise to St. Louis. They aren't a generational team yet. It takes decades to buid the kind of support that you are talking about where the stadium is full no matter how bad the team is.

Since: Feb 2, 2007

Posted on: January 28, 2012 3:37 pm

Rams trip to London could violate St. Louis lease

For a City on the verge of losing the team altogether, I really hope they consider how far theytake this.

Since: Mar 17, 2010

Posted on: January 28, 2012 3:33 pm

Rams trip to London could violate St. Louis lease

Although when the Lease ends the Rams will be leaving and going back to Los Angeles unless the Vikings or Jaguars beat them there !

Since: Mar 17, 2010

Posted on: January 28, 2012 3:30 pm

Rams trip to London could violate St. Louis lease

I Myself do not like these england Games and wish The Patriots would not play in them , If The english want to go to a NFL game have them buy a ticket and get here and if we want to go see any lame Aresonal games we can go to Bloody Ol England !

Since: Apr 2, 2007

Posted on: January 28, 2012 3:20 pm

Rams trip to London could violate St. Louis lease

Not only is this unfair to Rams fans, its also a competitive disadvantage for the team. They only get 7 home games, while everyone else gets 8. It just goes to show their owner doesn't care about winning, or his fans, as long as he can get more money. You can talk crap all you want about owners like Jerry Jones, and the late Al Davis, being too involved with the team and what not, but at least they love their teams and their fans and care about winning.

Since: May 18, 2009

Posted on: January 28, 2012 3:18 pm

Rams trip to London could violate St. Louis lease

3 Straight seasons for the Rams to have to travel there for "home" game. Why not just move the damn team there while they're at it. This is getting beyond ridiculous, either put a franchise over there or give it a rest already. How many years will it take for this crap to go down once and for all. Either do or DON'T!

Since: Dec 19, 2011

Posted on: January 28, 2012 3:16 pm

Rams trip to London could violate St. Louis lease

pendjo33 (no one wants to watch the rams play in any dome). I`m sure everyone remembers the saints when they were the aints. They were pathatic for many many years (60`s 70`s 80`s & even in the 90`s). Keep you dumb comments to youself unless you have a good reason.. GO RAMS!!

Since: Dec 29, 2009

Posted on: January 28, 2012 3:10 pm

Rams trip to London could violate St. Louis lease

I'm glad finally the city is putting their foot down with the Rams. We got screwed on this rediculous stadium that's an absolute eye sore. The parking s attrocious. They should have put the stadium in the burbs, instead about 4 blocks from there going East on 70 you see nothing but run down buildings. Another pathetic fact is ticket prices being so rediculously high.

Since: Jan 28, 2012

Posted on: January 28, 2012 2:58 pm

Rams trip to London could violate St. Louis lease

Hey Rev-

I'm a charter PSL holder for the last 17 years. For your information we have only had 8 games in 17 years not sell out. We have had 45000-50000 fans every game through these tough times. Know your facts before you speak!